Russia and China get ugly on Ellie’s wedding day

Confusion reigns: China and Russia are gathering troops on opposite sides of Kazahkstan; Ellie’s wedding is happening; Josh is second-guessing his every campaign move.

A lot of sabre rattling is happening as Russia responds to China’s advance by amassing thousands of troops outside Kazahkstan. Pakistan warns that if Russia enters Kazahkstan, it cannot sit idly by. This is on the president’s mind even as Ellie as trying to be a good daughter by giving him a White House wedding.

Meanwhile, it’s six weeks till Election Day (hey, just in time for the February sweeps!) and the Santos campaign — Josh mainly — is already thinking it needs Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida to win, since Vinick has California. Santos thinks it’s too early to be making such drastic predictions. Sure enough, not long afterwards comes news that Illinois, which Josh (and most everyone else) had considered a Vinick state, is back in play.

That’s good news/bad news for Josh. It’s good that the state is in play but bad because money is tight. He’s obsessing over it, losing sleep over it, breaking down over it (typical Josh behavior, in other words). Example: When Donna says she’s getting calls from the press about who initially decided to back off Illinois, he tells her to tell them it was his call. (Suicide mission.)

Josh decides he can pull money from three marginal states so he can buy TV ads in Chicago. But he ain’t too firm on that decision — and others, especially pundits and other Democratic leaders, are beginning to wonder whether Josh should be leading the re-election campaign. Santos tells Leo he’s getting calls about it.

Worth a note: Kate asks Will to accompany her to the wedding — which may or may not take place on time. A riot in Kazahkstan costs the lives of 200 ehtnic Chinese, and just as the wedding is about to begin, Bartlett’s told that Chinese troops are starting to move into Kazahkstan. Bartlet gets the Chinese on the phone and, as Debbie reminds him repeatedly that he’s late for the wedding, he argues, begs and finally loses his cool. He tells the Chinese about his daughter’s big day and agreement is reached to postpone movement for an hour.

Meanwhile, while huddling with prominent Dems, Leo’s name comes up. Sure ‘nuf, Santos asks Leo the question: Should Josh be running this campaign? Josh admits to Leo he’s losing confidence and Leo does the right thing: He says he would have made the same calls Josh has made. He then goes to Santos and tells him he’s not taking over, that Josh has done all he can do and that the remainder of the campaign is up to Santos. (Right on, Leo! And while you’re being honest, can you confirm that Santos is going to win? I mean, isn’t it kinda obvious, considering Vinick was nowhere to be seen in this episode or the last?)

4 Responses

It’s saddening to think that John Spencer won’t be around to see how the season finishes off. The news of his death was shocking and I can only hope that “The West Wing” honors his memory in the right way.

can NBC, after gutting (soon to be gutting) nearly all their established quality sit-coms, be scrapping their best dramas like W. Wing and possibly soon E.R. and Law & Order? they dump their best shows in death seat time slots, remark on the poor ratingss, then make the cut.

well, if people get fed up, there are terrific crime dramas on BBC_AM: “Touching Evil,” although nearly a decade old, is currently running on thursdays. it’s dark, menacing, and big screen quality. hopefully, “Murphy’s Law,” which boasts a terrific Irish undercover man, will return. Ken Stott is another actor who consistently delivers excellence-well beyond the reach of Keifer.